read any good books?

My next door neighbors have 2 cats and a house that we "sit" whenever they're on vacation. Well, Maria collects mice - not real ones, but those of a ceramic, painted, stone, etc variety - and also reads voraciously! I'd picked up this Max stamp at least 6 months ago and intended to use it on a card for her. Well, sooner or later I get around to doing what I intend ... honest!

They'll be returning soon so I made a "welcome home" card of sorts based on LaurenM's Saturday sketch and for Caardvarks' purple challenge. It's an acetate card, hard to tell from the scan but more apparent from the smaller pic of the card slightly opened. The base of the card is acetate, and opens to the left. Printed on the acetate is the "Read any good books lately?" sentiment; the rest of the card is mounted, centered, on the inside of the acetate base.

stamps: Stampendous' Max Books; paper: American Traditional Designs' Welcome Baby printed pastel vellum, ColorMates' medium outdoor olive cardstock, Karen Foster Story Time Collage DP; ink: StazOn Jet Black, Tri-C watercolor markers; accessories: Prima hydrangea flower, lavender dotted swiss organdy ribbon

SU dormant list

FYI - It's almost time for the new catty to come out, and you know what that means - the SU dormant list has been updated and is now available! My buddy Claudia spotted the Canadian version on someone's blog and was kind enuff to share (thanx Claud!). I just substituted "US" for "CA" in the URL and voila! The US one's only slightly different than Canada's version. It contains only one or two stamps sets that were on my wish list that I haven't purchased, so I've done MUCH better this year!

Interested in checking it out? Rather than post it here, I've listed it just below my blog archive links at the right ... the current cattys and the dormant list.

later, alligators!
- SueB

we have a winner!

This is the stamp I use on the back of most cards I make. I recently asked folkes what they used in exchange for a chance at blog candy and (drum roll, please!) ... used random.org to draw a number:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:22
Timestamp: 2008-03-31 02:31:33 UTC

Sally said...
A few things, some times, just the year or a hand stamped image - I have a few or I did have a personal stamp made for Asleep on the Couch Creations that I use sometimes.

Congrats, Sally! I got your email address from your blog and sent an email asking for your snail mail address so I can ship your goodies. If you don't get my email please let me know at this post.

SO glad it's Spring

We got a dusting of snow the other night - about 2" of the stuff - but it was pretty much melted by noon except for what's mainly in the shadows, like next to my garage. I have a buddy who moved a couple years ago from Arizona back to Michigan but the northern peninsula, so it's still snowy there. I thot I'd send her a bit of Spring in a card based on Beate's WSC41 weekend sketch and inspired by Taylor's recent bride-to-be card.

I love this DP but it was a lonely single sheet remaining from sale stock at my fav LSS that I picked up quite a while ago ... so I don't imagine I'll find any again. It's hard to tell by the scan but the card is mounted on ivory stock. Yep, I scanned this one on my latest printer purchase - we finally broke down and picked up an all-in-one unit. I was too lazy to set up the portable photo studio and take the pic and it's too close to bedtime!

See ya tomorrow - it'll be time to give away that blogoversary candy! See the 3/24 post if you've not already entered! But ... enter at 3/24 - NOT here! G'nite now!

stamps: katie & co for studio g, MSE's Old World Lower & Numbers, SU's Warm Words; paper: ColorMates' medium mostly mauve and deep spring green, MelissaFrances' Dawn DP; ink: StazOn's Jet Black, Tri-C watercolor markers; accessories: Stampendous' pink dot sparklers

get well w chocolates

I'd decorated a frappacino bottle to accompany the get well card at this post and my sicko buddy was nice enuff to send me a pic this morning - thanx, Pat! It was a coordinated set - bottle of chocolates and card. Looks like she's refrained from eating much of it tho, eh?!

stamps: SU's Two-Step Stampin Mini Messages, Vases in Vogue; paper: Bohemia' Bliss; ink: Color Box's peach pastel and rose coral; accessories: ribbon I'd saved from a flower arrangment; tools: 1-3/8" circle and circle scallop punches

welcome Haley!

Haley, our next-door neighbors' eldest daughter's baby, was born this past Sunday! I made this card for her and will deliver it with the cute bonnet pictured here and a few onesies I picked up.

The onesie card is based one at Lauren M's blog - thanx, Lauren! And isn't the bonnet adorable? My boss learned from another coworker how to make this bonnet from a hankie ... who also had the cutest poem we've included inside the cards. I've made her a few cards in the past and last week she made me a bonnet.

stamps: Kolette Hall for studio g; paper: Basic Grey's two scoops; ink: Tri-C watercolor markers; tools: SU's circle and scallop punches

The poem is t'riffic - it reads:

I’m just a little hankie,
as square as square can be,
But with a stitch or two
they made a bonnet out of me,

To be worn home from the hospital
or on the christening Day,
Then carefully pressed
and neatly tucked away.

Then on the Wedding Day,
so we have all been told,
Every well-dressed bride
must have something that is old.

And what would be more fitting
than to find little old me,
A few stitches snipped
and a wedding hankie I’ll be.

And if per chance it is a boy,
and someday he will wed,
To his bride he can present the hankie
once worn on his head.

God bless you, sweet baby!

it's my blogoversary!

I can't believe it's been a year already! Well, not QUITE ... if you take into account that I started the blog and immediately went into hibernation. I didn't return until July 21st BUT that only means that I'll do another blog candy roll again then!

This candy roll includes the Spring 2008 edition of paper creations, 4 acid free photo safe glue sticks, 4 studio g clear stamp sets (new styles - think bird, owl, purse, shoes, cupcake), and a Marvy 1-1/4" circle punch.

Tho' I don't remember to list this one as a stamp on most posts, I generally use a kewl Stampendous stamp for the back of my cards - very Hallmark-ish indeed - their Hand-Stamped Arc. It reads "Hand stamped for you from my " with two small hearts both before and after the saying, shaped as an (yep, you guessed it!) arc. I generally sign under the arc with the same ink I've used for the stamp.

My buddy Pat generally signs her cards in the same spot and affixes an angel sticker. ... which brings me to my question ... What do you do to "sign" your creations? If you'd like to participate in this blog candy roll, please leave me a comment letting me know. Post the number comment, at least your first name, and if you don't link back to a blog including your email, also leave a method for me to contact you. I'll draw a random number the weekend following my blogoversary!

UPDATE: Random Integer Generator at random.org drew #22
Sally said ... A few things, some times, just the year or a hand stamped image - I have a few or I did have a personal stamp made for Asleep on the Couch Creations that I use sometimes.

Congrats, Sally! I got your email address from your blog and sent an email asking for your snail mail address so I can ship your goodies. If you don't get my email please let me know at this post.

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone's having a t'riffic Easter! Here's the card I made for my sweetie for today. He always picks me up the PRETTIEST cards, and today mentioned he usually feels they're inferior and wonders why he even does it, as I've been making my own cards the last couple years and he thinks they're so much nicer than what he can purchase at the stores. OK, everybody together now ... Aaawwwww! The man can certainly talk the talk! I'm gonna extend his contract, I tell ya! Anywho, this one's for him ... based on Taylor's TECC8 sketch challenge.

stamps: Artful Stamper's smooching bunnies, SU's warm words, Hero Arts' Easter greetings; paper: ColorMates' medium mostly mauve 'n deep spring green cardstocks, Melissa Frances' dawn DP, SU's Kraft cardstock; ink: StazOn's Jet Black, Tri-C watercolor markers; accessories: satin ribbon from my fav LSS - CAM, DCWV's rose envelope seals; tools: TheCraftersWorkshop's mini hearts stencil

happy b'day to me!

Guess what I got for my birthday from my DH? OK, so you already saw the pic, so you guessed this kewl portable photo studio? Well, if so, you'd be RIGHT! He picked it up on sale in mid-January and SAID I could start using it then (I spotted it ... altogether innocently, mind you!), but I held out 'til my b'day this weekend.

This portable photo studio comes complete w the 2 studio quality high output lights, 2 backgrounds (the blue one, pictured, and a grey one), camera stand, nylon diffuser screen, and carry case. If you'd like one, they're available at Ritz Camera shops and online.

Oh ... and Happy Easter, all! We've been ill this past week and are still in recovery mode so staying close to home this year. I think I'll go play w my new toy!

Easter inchies

My family's been bitten by a horrendous nasty flu bug this past week - starting on Saturday with my eldest, then Monday by my youngest son and me, then my DH ... and getting over it in pretty much the same sequence with me feeling MUCH better today. Boy, you don't really appreciate being in good health 'til you're hit like this, do you?! Today was both boys' first day back to school so I stamped a bit and made this, my last Easter card to be mailed ... today! Sheesh!

Mish recently issued an Easter inchies challenge, and at paper crafters anonymous, this one was to make an Easter card with a basket holding something you might get for Easter. I'd picked up 3 of these stamps recently at Mike's thinking I'd snip them into inchies for an Easter card.

stamps: A Muse Artstamps (bunny), Hero Arts (sentiment), and Katie & Co for studio g; paper: Mrs Grossman's embossed cardstock, Reminisce's DP, SU's Almost Amethyst cardstock; ink: StazOn Jet Black, Tri-C watercolor markers

welcome spring

This tall grass stamp was from an Impress Rubber Stamps order that arrived last week. I used some $1 punches from Mike's to turn 'em into flowers. It may not show very well from the photo but there's a dragonfly hovering above the flowers made from vellum with Dazzling Diamonds on its wings and Snowflake Glimmer Mist on its body.

It's in celebration of Spring for Maria Bell's recent sketch and paper crafters {Anonymous}'s Springy challenges. I have the My Sentiments Exactly's Old World font as a stamp set but it was too large for the card, so the "spring" text is printed from my PC - it looks like the same font but is called Parchment. It seems that lately I'm combining digital w stamped techniques more often, usually printing the inside sentiment and stamping the card front.

stamps: Savvy Stamps' tall grass, SU's warm words; paper: SU's Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, and Old Olive cardstocks, The Paper Co's vellum, unknown white cardstock; ink: Versamark, StazOn's Jet Black, SU's Old Olive; accessories: polka dot organdy ribbon; technique: stamped off tall grasses stamp

thinking of you

I needed a sympathy card today and took inspiration from Taylor, Sharon and Vicki for this one. I'd picked up the topiary flower tree (tho' I went green for this one, it's actually mini flowers) from Mike's on a recent expedition there looking for St Pat's stamps, and received the paper in the mail yesterday from an Impress Rubber Stamps order.

stamps: Kolette Hall for studio g; paper: Basic Grey's Two Scoops DP, Creative Memories' light blue, unknown green and white cardstock; ink: StazOn Jet Black, Tri-C watercolor markers; tools: Provo Craft pick up/piercing tool

in spurts

That's how I work with different techniques ... also the way I post, apparently! LOL

I read in spurts (books, newspapers), do needlework in spurts, and scrapbook in spurts (now THERE's a long-neglected hobby) ... so it really shouldn't come as any surprise that I also seem to use tools in spurts, I guess. I seem to have been picking up the Cuttlebug more lately, and here's another card using it. I picked up the Polka Dot BK most recently and went thru my QuicKutz supplies to see what I had in the way of Easter dies.

stamps: Hero Arts; paper: Creative Memories' contemporary collection, Reminisce's Easter Ribbons, bright green and white cardstock on hand; ink: StazOn Jet Black; accessories: polka dot organdy from one of texasjodylyn's ribbon shares, eyelets from one of hedgehogink's eyelet shares (hey ladies, do I get a discount commission if folkes tell you I sent 'em your way?!); tools: Creative Memories' oval cutting system, Cuttlebug w polka dot BK, QuicKutz Squeeze w chick die set

DMC enabler alert

One of my other passions is for needlework - just ask my poor DH, as I've pretty much taken over the floor of his closet ... sigh ...

Anyway, I just caught up on reading my fav needlework blogs and learned that DMC is partnering with MB to provide a Stitch-opoly gameboard this spring! Read more for specifics.

Cuttlebug enabler alert

I'll be back to post the first of my Easter cards later today but HAD to stop in to share a sneak peek at the upcoming release (this summer, I read) of Cuttlebug embossing folders.
later, alligators!
- SueB

ultimate blog party 2008

Susan and Janice of the 5 Minutes for Mom blog are hosting a party and hope you'll stop on over! More than 1,000 lady bloggers (sorry, guys!) are participating this year. Want to review more blogs to add to your Google Reader account?

... and they sweeten the pot - how, you ask? Party guests who visit and comment on at least 20 participating party posts in the list of bloggers are entered into a drawing for any of over 150 prizes!

speaking of green ...

Wendi of the Kaput Krafts blog has two nephews who are shaving their heads in order to raise funds for childhood cancer research. If you're able to partipate, head to her blog to link to donate to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. To sweeten the pot, she's providing blog candy solicited from multiple vendors.
later, alligators!
- SueB

a bit 'o green

My most recent St Pat's Day card was made for the Only Green challenge over at paper crafters {Anonymous}, an online community I recently learned about thru checking blogs ... whose, I don't recall! I may have stretched this a bit 'cuz I used a bit of white and brown also, but most who've submitted cards so far used a bit more than JUST green.

I used scraps left over from the QuicKutz club meeting noted in an earlier post, and the tree design idea from PatL, an extremely talented cardmaker/scrapper who leads our club meetings. The tree die has a background of leaves (one that can easily be used as clouds also!) that I put aside and instead made falling shamrocks snipped from some St Pat's Day garland I'd picked up recently from Mike's (I have 43' left ... and NOT that many more cards to make ... LOL!). Again, strike another t'riffic idea up to PatL, who showed me a recent card she'd made that used a similar tree but with hearts (I added the falling shamrocks)! Think holidays with specific icons ... I don't think I'll be making falling bunnies, but you get the idea ...

stamps: none, paper: Deja Views' Timeless Collection for trunk, greens - dunno - all provided; ink: PC-printed inside sentiment; accessories: Jo-Ann's Spring Moss ribbon, Mike's St Pat's Day garland; tools: QuicKutz - w tree die

what's brewing?

This is my QuicKutz take on SU's Like it a Latte stamp set, whipped up into a gift card holder for Beate's weekend sketch challenge (WSC38).

I'm geeked with how well the gift card coordinates with the DP, especially since I had left the gift card at work when I went in search of DP!

stamps: A Muse Artstamps' What's Brewing (inside sentiment), Stampendous' Hand-Stamped Arc (rear); paper: Deja Views' Timeless Collection, ThePaperCompany's clear vellum; ink: StazOn Jet Black; tools: Marvy corner rounder punch, QuicKutz w mug die

first St Pat's Day card

I started making St Pat's cards last month at my QuicKutz club meeting at my fav LSS - Capture-A-Memory (see links at side). Pat L leads the group and, responding to popular request, provided a scrapbook page layout. Well, I'm all about the cards, don't 'cha know, darlin' (in my best Irish brogue)?!

I altered the layout and, still using some of the pieces provided, cut the rainbow in half, and joined it together as this St Pat's Day greeting card.

stamps: none, paper: dunno - all provided; ink: Stickles unknown gold; tools: QuicKutz - w unknown pot 'o gold and letter dies

get well soon Jessy!

I mailed this card to my niece Jessy who left me a voice mail on Tuesday afternoon letting me know that she'd had her appendix removed! I just hung up from getting a quick status update on her and told her I hope she's feeling better than yesterday and worse than tomorrow! Hope she likes it - the card, not the loss of appendix! Love you Jessy - get well soon!

See the faux brads? They were made by inking the eraser from a new pencil ... it hid the mini glue dot under the vellum. Don't recall where I'd first spotted someone doing that tho' ...

stamps: SU's Vases in Vogue (mainly the inside of card); paper: American Traditional Design's Welcome Baby pastel vellum, ColorMates' Light Outdoorsy Olive cardstock, SU's Vintage Violet cardstock; ink: SU's Vintage Violet cardstock; accessories: Prima's hydrangea flowers, unknown olive ribbon; tools: crimper

Unity Stamp Co give-away

enabler alert! run, don't walk, over to Unity Stamp Company's blog to sign up for some t'riffic blog candy! they'll ll be doing a weekly give away till the official release of their line of stamps and handles - Coming May 2008! - and IF I don't win, I think one of my regular readers should!

and, just in case you were wondering which of their stamp sets is top on my wish list right now (and my b'day IS fast approaching), it's the Little Princess (and yeah, I know, I don't even HAVE girls)!

it's baby time

This is one of those times where the DP made the statement - absolutely no stamps were used in the making of this card! Go figure!

I made this card for my boss ... or rather, her daughter, to give to one of her teachers who's pregnant, based on Lauren Meader's onesie tutorial. I LOVED the paper and originally thought to make another for my next-door neighbor's daughter, whose baby's due on the 22nd. That gal's sister had a nice idea for a shower I recently attended w another neighbor gal - she'd asked everyone to pick up baby books in place of greeting cards. Well, I'd already MADE a card, don't 'cha know, so I ended up giving her a couple sound books from my boys. I've since picked up some beautiful pink paper for that baby card and hope to make another onesie card for when the baby actually arrives later this week. I was going to add a beautiful Prima flower on some pretty ribbon that pulled out the greens of the stripes but it just seemed to be "too much," y'know?! So, OK, on to the deets!

stamps: none; paper: Karen Foster's Story Time Collage DP, American Traditional Design's Welcome Baby (striped) vellum, ColorMates' Light Outdoorsy Olive cardstock, SU's Whisper White cardstock (behind vellum), The Paper Company's clear vellum (inside sentiment); ink: PC printed sentiment

inside jack's b'day card

Inside Jack's card I used creative IMAGINATIONS signature collection paper (it's full of wine bottles and glasses), a Reminisce rub-on, and a past tense sentiment "knock off" from the new SU catty sentiments ...

I just liked the way it turned out so thot I'd share it w ya'll!
later, alligators!

happy (belated) b'day, Jack!

I recall my Mom telling me, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions" when I was a kid ... not that I've always procrastinated, mind you! But I DO recall my younger brother commenting about Christmasses past where I'd rush to my room to wrap presents as I spotted friends pulling into the driveway.

Well, today's my older brother's b'day and this card's for him. I'd picked up some kewl wine bottle paper and these stamps before Christmas, thinking of him as he's the wine connoisseur of the family. He came into town this weekend and we got together for dinner but I didn't have the card started ... so I'll have to mail it as a belated greeting!

Two challenges were used in the making of this card - Beate's weekend sketch challenge #37, and SCS's color challenge #155 - see the gallery here.

stamps: katie & co for studio g's celebrate, SU's Polka Dot BK; paper: SU's Basic Black, River Rock, Whisper White; ink: StazOn Jet Black, Versamark; accessories: kewl swirly black unknown ribbon (that I was geeked about when I spotted it at my LSS as it coordinates with the Cuttlebug BK, don't 'cha think?!); tools: Cuttlebug w D'vine Swirl embossing plate

take your time - recuperate!

A buddy of mine's recuperating from recent surgery and a few of us visited last week, taking over a batch of goodies for her ... of the stampin' variety, that is! Well, that and chocolate, anyhow! LOL!

Anywho, I made this card to give her along with a bottle I decorated that held her favorite chocolates ... hmmnn ... which I apparently didn't get a picture of beforehand (maybe more on that one later)?!

stamps: SU's Stem Silhouettes, Two-Step Stampin Mini Messages, Vases in Vogue; paper: Bohemia' Bliss, hp's transparency film; ink: Color Box's peach pastel and rose coral; accessories: ribbon I'd saved from a flower arrangment; tools: 1-3/8" circle and circle scallop punches (the strange thing bein' that I borrowed them the prior week from the same sicko friend ... grins!)

occasions mini collection

I JUST returned to my reader.google account after spending some time this a.m. searching for the cute onesie stamp that rainy used in this post ... and recalled that today's the release of SU's Occasions mini catty. Voila! There it is on page 4!

This catty has more "I gotta have" stamps than any offered to date for me - what about you?! I have about a week to prioritize my wish list before my club meeting!

Click here to be taken to the online version - enjoy!